Strip Curtain Cleaning System and Method

ABSTRACT

A strip curtain cleaning system which permits an operator to easily and quickly clean both sides of hanging curtain strips in a single operation using a fabric cover disposed in sock-like covering relation to a two-armed frame defining a tortuous path gap for receipt of one or more curtain strips. The device facilitates cleaning both faces of individual strip elements simultaneously. Different covers may be used for different curtain types and environments.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This non-provisional application claims the benefit of, and priorityfrom, U.S. provisional application 62/140,533 having a filing date ofMar. 31, 2015. The contents of such provisional application and allother documents referenced herein are hereby incorporated by referencein their entirety as if fully set forth herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to cleaning devices, and moreparticularly, to a device and method adapted to clean hanging stripcurtains such as vinyl strip curtains and the like commonly found invarious cleanroom environments as well as in many clean industrialsettings. The device of the present disclosure is adapted to use theflexible character of the individual strip elements in hanging stripcurtains to establish a curved cleaning path for the strip elementsbetween opposing cleaning surfaces so as to clean both faces of theindividual strip elements simultaneously.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Strip curtains are commonly used as dividers in environments such aspharmaceutical, microelectronics and hospital cleanrooms as well as inmany clean industrial applications where air flow and/or contaminantsare to be controlled. Such curtains typically include a multiplicity ofvinyl strips hanging vertically in slightly overlapping side-by-siderelation to form a barrier. During use, the strips may be pushed asideto form a temporary opening for passage if desired.

In the past, strip curtains have typically been cleaned by holding eachindividual strip in tension and then cleaning first one side and thenthe other side. Often, this cleaning procedure has required two peopleto be carried our effectively in a reasonable period of time. While sucha cleaning procedure may yield good results, it is costly and timeconsuming to carry out. Moreover, such cleaning may require substantialphysical effort to be carried out properly. In particular, it may bedifficult to reach and clean upper portions of the curtain stripswithout the use of ladders or the like. Accordingly, a cleaning deviceand related method which can be used to reduce physical effort and toimprove efficiency in cleaning strip curtains over their entire lengthwould represent a desirable advancement over the current art.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure offers advantages and alternatives over the priorart by providing a strip curtain cleaning system which permits anoperator to easily and quickly clean both sides of hanging curtainstrips in a single operation using a fabric cover disposed in sock-likecovering relation to a two-armed frame defining a tortuous path gap forreceipt of one or more strips. By adjusting the angle of the framerelative to the strip being cleaned, the tension on the strip and thecleaning force may be controlled. In this regard, the device makes useof the flexible character of the individual strip elements in hangingstrip curtains to establish a tortuous curved cleaning path for thestrip elements between opposing cleaning surfaces so as to clean bothfaces of the individual strip elements simultaneously. Different coversmay be used for different curtain types and environments.

In accordance with one exemplary aspect, the present disclosure providesa cleaning system adapted to clean pliable hanging curtain strips. Thecleaning system includes a frame adapted for tilting manipulation by auser. The frame includes a base, a first elongated arm projecting awayfrom the base to a first rounded free distal end, and a second elongatedarm projecting away from the base to a second rounded free distal end.The first elongated arm and the second elongated arm may each include alobed interior face oriented in substantially parallel spaced relationto one another to define a substantially continuous gap between thefirst elongated arm and the second elongated arm. The frame furtherincludes a connection element adapted to operatively attach the frame toan elongated handle adapted for manipulation by a user. A foldablefabric cover is adapted to cover the first elongated arm and the secondelongated arm such that the foldable fabric cover will define a cleaningsurface disposed in covering relation to the first elongated arm and thesecond elongated arm and projecting towards the gap. The frame isadapted to receive a hanging curtain strip within the gap with thefoldable fabric cover in place. The frame may be tilted to define atortuous sliding pathway between the first elongated arm and the secondelongated arm to simultaneously clean two opposing faces of the curtainstrip as the frame is moved along a length dimension the curtain stripduring a cleaning operation.

While exemplary features of the disclosure are illustrated and willhereinafter be described in connection with certain potentiallypreferred embodiments and practices, it is to be understood that in noevent is the disclosure limited to such illustrated and describedembodiments and practices. On the contrary, it is intended that thepresent disclosure shall extend to all alternatives and modifications asmay embrace the general principles of this disclosure within the fulland true spirit and scope thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic partial assembly view illustrating a folded fabriccover and a tool frame having a pair of opposing arms adapted forreceipt within pockets in the fabric cover in a manner consistent withone exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view similar to FIG. 1, wherein the arms of thetool frame have been inserted partially into the fabric cover;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view similar to FIG. 1, wherein the arms of thetool frame have been inserted fully into the fabric cover;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating insertion of an exemplarycurtain strip between covered arms of a tool frame as illustrated inFIG. 3;

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary starting position for use of a toolconsistent with the present disclosure in cleaning an exemplary curtainstrip; and

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate an exemplary cleaning operation using acleaning system consistent with the present disclosure in cleaning anexemplary curtain strip.

Before embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it is tobe understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application tothe details of construction and the arrangements of the components setforth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. Thedisclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced orbeing carried out in various ways. Also, it is understood that thephraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting. The use herein of“including”, “comprising” and variations thereof is meant to encompassthe items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof, as well asadditional items and equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION

Features of the present disclosure will now be described throughreference to the various figures. To the extent possible, like elementsare designated by like reference numerals in the various views. FIG. 1illustrates an exemplary frame 10 for a cleaning system consistent withthe present disclosure. In accordance with one exemplary practice, theframe 10 may be formed from a metal such as stainless steel or the like.However, it is likewise contemplated that other structural materialssuch as plastics, fiberglass and the like may also be used if desired.The material of construction is preferably suitable for treatment in anautoclave for disinfection.

As illustrated, the exemplary frame 10 includes a first arm 12 and asecond arm 14 disposed in substantially parallel, opposing relation toone another. The first arm 12 and the second arm 14 may each have asubstantially lobe shaped cross section such as a hemisphericalcross-section or the like such that the inboard surfaces facing oneanother each have a convex curvature thereby forming a substantiallycontinuous gap between opposing curved surfaces of the arms. As will bedescribed further hereinafter, this gap between curved surfaces may beused to adjust the cleaning force applied to a curtain strip elementduring a cleaning procedure. The outer surfaces of the first arm 12 anda second arm 14 may be substantially planar to define flat outersurfaces, although other geometries may be used if desired.

In the illustrated exemplary construction, each of the arms extends awayfrom a base 16 to a free distal end. As shown, these distal ends may berounded to facilitate insertion into covering elements as will bedescribed further hereinafter. In the illustrated exemplaryconstruction, the first arm 12 may be slightly longer than the secondarm 14. Thus, the free distal end of the first arm 12 will projectbeyond the free distal end of the second arm 14 so as to form aprojecting tongue. As will be described more fully hereinafter, thisprojecting tongue may aid in guiding a curtain strip to a cleaningposition between the arms 12, 14 during use.

In the illustrated exemplary construction, the first arm 12 and thesecond arm 14 each have a substantially rounded free distal endextending away from the base 16. A connecting arm 18 extends away fromthe base 16 to a connection element 20 adapted to engage an elongatedhandle 22 (FIG. 4). By way of example only, and not limitation, inaccordance with one exemplary practice the connection element 20 mayincluded a pair of opposing spring-loaded buttons 24 which may be pushedinwardly by compression. During attachment of the elongated handle 22,the spring-loaded buttons 24 may be pressed inwardly as the elongatedhandle 22 slides over the connection element 20. In this regard, thesubstantially rounded surfaces of the spring-loaded buttons 24 willfacilitate compression as the elongated handle 22 slides over theconnection element 20. Once the elongated handle 22, is in place, thespring-loaded buttons 24 may then spring outwardly through alignedopenings in the elongated handle 22 to establish a reversible connectionwith the elongated handle 22 as shown in FIG. 4. In this attachedconfiguration, a user may then manipulate the frame 10 throughmanipulation of the elongated handle 22. Of course, the elongated handle22 may be disconnected by simply depressing the spring-loaded buttons 24and withdrawing the elongated handle 22 from the connection element 20.

As best illustrated through joint reference to FIGS. 1-3, the first arm12 and the second arm 14 are adapted to be received within a fabriccover 30 having a pair of pocket openings 32 (only one shown). In thisregard, the fabric cover 30 may be slipped over the distal ends of thefirst arm 12 and the second arm 14 in a sock-like manner therebysubstantially covering the arms while nonetheless maintaining the gapbetween the arms. In this covered arrangement, a concave curved zone 34of the fabric cover 30 will be positioned between the arms in adjacent,opposing relation to the base 16.

While the fabric cover 30 is illustrated in a folded condition, it willbe understood that the fabric cover 30 may be formed as a substantiallyflat structure by textile formation techniques as will be well known tothose of skill in the art. By way of example only, in accordance withone exemplary practice, the fabric cover 30 may be a woven or knitstructure formed from yarns such as polyester or the like which havebeen laundered and treated to prevent particle generation during use.The fabric cover 30 may also be a woven or knit structure formed frommicrofiber yarns of polyester or the like incorporating filaments withdenier ratings of less than about 1 denier per filament. Fabric coversformed from such microfiber yarns may be particularly suitable forenvironments where larger contaminates are to be removed duringcleaning. Of course, other fabric constructions may also be used.

With the fabric cover 30 in place, the frame 10 may be used tosimultaneously clean both sides of a curtain strip 35 forming part of alarger curtain (not shown). Such curtains will be familiar to those ofskill in the art. Referring to FIG. 4, it may be seen that in a firststep of the cleaning procedure, a curtain strip 35 of vinyl or othergenerally pliable material may be inserted between the first arm 12 andthe second arm 14 which are enclosed by the fabric cover 30 aspreviously described. As noted previously, the enhanced length of thefirst arm 12 relative to the second arm 14 may aid in guiding thecurtain strip 35 into the space between the covered arms. As best seenin FIG. 5, with the curtain strip 35 fully inserted, the distal ends ofboth arms may extend beyond the edge of the curtain strip 35. In thiscondition, a user may raise the frame 10 to the top of the curtain strip35 to commence the cleaning procedure.

As noted previously, the first arm 12 and the second arm 14 may eachhave a substantially hemispherical or lobe shaped cross section suchthat the inboard surfaces facing one another each have a convexcurvature (FIG. 6). In accordance with one exemplary practice, the gapbetween the opposing convex surfaces of the covered arms may besignificantly greater than the thickness of the curtain strip 35 whichis to be cleaned. In accordance with one exemplary practice, the gapbetween the opposing convex surfaces of the covered arms may be about1.2 to about 4.5 times the thickness of the curtain strip 35. As will beappreciated, such a gap distance may be useful in facilitating theinitial insertion of the curtain strip 35 between the arms. Of course,larger and smaller gaps may be used if desired.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, it may be seen that during use, theframe 10 may be tilted in angled relation relative to the curtain strip35 by manipulation of the elongated handle 22. In this tilted condition,the covered arms may be used to simultaneously clean both faces of thehanging curtain strip 35. As best seen in FIG. 6, during the cleaningoperation, the angled frame 10 creates a tortuous sliding pathwaybetween the covered arms as the frame 10 is pulled downwardly along thelength of the curtain strip 35. As shown, this tortuous pathway causesthe curtain strip 35 to bend to substantially conform to the lobedsurfaces of the covered arms as the frame is pulled downwardly.

As will be appreciated, the pliable character of the curtain strip 35facilitates bending conformance by the curtain strip 35. In this bentcondition, the first arm 12 will contact and clean one face of thecurtain strip 35, while the second arm 14 will contact and clean theopposing face the curtain strip 35. The tortuous sliding path betweenthe arms creates additional tension and sliding friction on the curtainstrip 35 as it is moved through the gap, thereby promoting cleaning.Moreover, in the event that the gap between the opposing convex surfacesof the covered arms is significantly greater than the thickness of thecurtain strip 35, the cleaning operation will nonetheless be achievableby merely increasing the angle of tilt applied to the frame such thatthe desired tortuous sliding path is established

As will be appreciated, a cleaning system consistent with the presentdisclosure may be used to quickly and easily clean both sides of acurtain strip 35 in a single pass. Different fabric covers may be usedas dictated by the cleaning requirement and environment of use.Moreover, handles of different materials and lengths may be used asdesired. Thus, a user may accommodate a wide variety of curtain stripsand environments of use.

Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, includingthe best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention.Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to thoseof ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. Theinventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations asappropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practicedotherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, thisinvention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subjectmatter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicablelaw. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in allpossible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unlessotherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in thecontext of describing the invention (especially in the context of thefollowing claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and theplural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted bycontext. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing”are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, butnot limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of valuesherein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referringindividually to each separate value falling within the range, unlessotherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated intothe specification as if it were individually recited herein.

All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable orderunless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted bycontext. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g.,“such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate theinvention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the inventionunless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should beconstrued as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to thepractice of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cleaning system adapted to clean pliablehanging curtain strips, the cleaning system comprising: a frame adaptedfor tilting manipulation by a user, the frame comprising a base, a firstelongated arm projecting away from the base to a first free distal end,and a second elongated arm projecting away from the base to a secondfree distal end, wherein the first elongated arm and the secondelongated arm each comprise a lobed face oriented in substantiallyparallel spaced relation to one another to define a substantiallycontinuous gap between a lobed face of the first elongated arm and alobed face of the second elongated arm, the frame further comprising aconnection element adapted to operatively attach the frame to anelongated handle adapted for manipulation by a user; and a fabric coveradapted to cover the first elongated arm and the second elongated armsuch that the fabric cover will define a cleaning surface disposed incovering relation to the first elongated arm and the second elongatedarm and projecting towards the gap, wherein the frame is adapted toreceive a hanging curtain strip within the gap with the fabric cover inplace and wherein the frame may be tilted to define a tortuous slidingpathway between the first elongated arm and the second elongated arm tosimultaneously clean two opposing faces of the curtain strip as theframe is moved along a length dimension of the curtain strip during acleaning operation.
 2. The cleaning system as recited in claim 1,wherein the fabric cover is a one-piece, foldable fabric cover.
 3. Thecleaning system as recited in claim 2, wherein the fabric covercomprises a pair of pocket openings adapted for insertion of the firstelongated arm and the second elongated arm.
 4. The cleaning system asrecited in claim 3, wherein the fabric cover comprises a fabric formedfrom woven or knitted yarns.
 5. The cleaning system as recited in claim4, wherein the yarns comprise polyester fibers.
 6. The cleaning systemas recited in claim 5, wherein the yarns are microfiber yarns comprisingfilaments having a denier rating of less than about 1 denier perfilament.
 7. The cleaning system as recited in claim 1, wherein theframe is metal.
 8. The cleaning system as recited in claim 1, whereinthe frame is stainless steel.
 9. The cleaning system as recited in claim1, wherein the first elongated arm is longer than the second elongatedarm.
 10. The cleaning system as recited in claim 1, wherein outersurfaces of the first arm and a second arm are substantially planar todefine flat outer surfaces.
 11. The cleaning system as recited in claim1, wherein the connection element comprises a pair of opposingspring-loaded buttons adapted to engage acceptance openings in thehandle.
 12. The cleaning system as recited in claim 1, wherein the gapwith the fabric cover in place is in the range of about 1.2 to about 4.5times the thickness of the curtain strip.
 13. A cleaning system adaptedto clean pliable hanging curtain strips, the cleaning system comprising:a frame adapted for tilting manipulation by a user, the frame comprisinga base, a first elongated arm projecting away from the base to a firstfree distal end, a second elongated arm projecting away from the base toa second free distal end, wherein the first elongated arm is longer thanthe second elongated arm and wherein the first elongated arm and thesecond elongated arm each comprise a lobed face oriented insubstantially parallel spaced relation to one another to define asubstantially continuous gap between a lobed face of the first elongatedarm and a lobed face of the second elongated arm, the frame furthercomprising a connection element adapted to operatively attach the frameto an elongated handle adapted for manipulation by a user; and aone-piece foldable fabric cover comprising a pair of pockets adapted forinsertion of the first elongated arm and the second elongated arm suchthat upon insertion of the first elongated arm and the second elongatedarm into the pockets, the fabric cover will define a cleaning surfacedisposed in covering relation to the first elongated arm and the secondelongated arm and projecting towards the gap, and a portion of thefabric cover between the pockets defines a folded curved zone disposedbetween the first elongated arm and the second elongated arm, whereinthe frame is adapted to receive a hanging curtain strip within the gapwith the fabric cover in place and wherein the frame may be tilted todefine a tortuous sliding pathway between the first elongated arm andthe second elongated arm to simultaneously clean two opposing faces ofthe curtain strip as the frame is moved along a length dimension of thecurtain strip during a cleaning operation.
 14. The cleaning system asrecited in claim 13, wherein the fabric cover comprises a fabric formedfrom woven or knitted yarns.
 15. The cleaning system as recited in claim14, wherein the yarns comprise polyester fibers.
 16. The cleaning systemas recited in claim 15, wherein the yarns are microfiber yarnscomprising filaments having a denier rating of less than about 1 denierper filament.
 17. The cleaning system as recited in claim 13, whereinthe frame is metal.
 18. The cleaning system as recited in claim 13,wherein outer surfaces of the first arm and a second arm aresubstantially planar to define flat outer surfaces.
 19. The cleaningsystem as recited in claim 1, wherein the gap with the fabric cover inplace is in the range of about 1.2 to about 4.5 times the thickness ofthe curtain strip.